Compare and contrast the fundamental assumptions of behaviorism and psychoanalysis regarding the primary drivers of human behavior. In your response, explain how each school of thought would approach the study of human actions, highlighting their key differences in focus and methodology.

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In the early part of the 20th century, the field of American psychology was largely shaped by two major schools of thought: behaviorism and psychoanalysis. The widespread influence of these two perspectives set the stage for the emergence of new theories, such as humanism, which developed in response to their perceived limitations.

Dominance of Behaviorism and Psychoanalysis in Early 20th-Century Psychology

The humanistic movement in psychology emerged from a growing dissatisfaction with the dominant perspectives of the early 20th century. Psychologists objected to the pessimism and determinism of Sigmund Freud's psychoanalysis, which suggested all actions are driven by the unconscious. They also criticized the reductionism and deterministic core of behaviorism, which viewed human behavior as entirely controlled by genetics and environment. In contrast to these limited views, humanism developed to emphasize personal control, intentionality, and an innate predisposition for good.

Rise of Humanism as a Response to Behaviorism and Psychoanalysis

Consider the two major psychological perspectives that were most influential in the early 20th century. One focused exclusively on observable actions and the role of the environment in shaping them, while the other emphasized the influence of the unconscious mind and early life experiences. Evaluate the primary limitations of both of these perspectives that might have led other psychologists to seek alternative ways of understanding human experience.

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